Three Soldiers Dead After Vehicle Overturns In J&K, Govt Says Accident Not Due To Stone Pelting

A spokesperson of the Defence Ministry said the Army vehicle was going to an encounter site at Badigam in Shopian.

The incident happened near Kanipora village of South Kashmir's Shopian district (Getty Images)

New Delhi: Three Army personnel died and five were injured after their vehicle turned turtle near Kanipora village of South Kashmir's Shopian district.

A spokesperson of the Defence Ministry said the Army vehicle was going to an encounter site at Badigam in Shopian where four Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed.

"Owing to the wet road conditions, the driver seemingly lost control over the vehicle and it skidded off the road. The eight injured soldiers were shifted to District Hospital Shopian, where three among them were declared dead," said PRO (Defence) Srinagar.

The spokesperson said one soldier who received minor injuries was discharged after treatment. "Four soldiers are presently at 92 Base Hospital and are being treated," the spokesperson said.

The Defence Ministry also said reports claiming the accident was due to stone-pelting in the area was false.

"It has already been clarified by the J&K Police that information shared on social media, that the accident was caused by stone-pelting incident in the area is false. Rumours may be avoided and peace be maintained," the spokesperson further said.

The Shopian Police also tweeted that reports of soldiers sustaining injuries due to stone pelting in the area were incorrect.

"It has been reported that some unconfirmed information has been circulated on social media, relating to stone pelting/injuries to some army jawans at Kanipora Shopian. It is clarified that info shared in social media is not based on facts," Shopian Police tweeted.

The security forces had launched a cordon-and-search operation on Thursday morning after receiving information about the presence of terrorists at Badigam in Shopian's Zainapora area.

During the operation, the terrorists fired upon the forces, which led to an encounter, PTI reported. In the exchange of fire, four terrorists were killed.

"LeT terrorists neutralised in today's encounter were active in Shopian and adjacent areas of Pulwama. They were involved in six terror crimes, including attacks on outside labourers. Hunt for their associates like Aijaz of Pulwama is on and they will be neutralised soon," tweeted Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar.